Beyoncé's leaked track proves her swagger is still intact

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR PARKWOOD ENTERTAINMENT - Singer Beyonce performs the song "Grown Woman" on her "Mrs. Carter Show World Tour 2013", on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at the Palais Omni Sport Bercy in Paris. Beyonce is wearing a custom printed romper with bustle by designer Kenzo. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision for Parkwood Entertainment/AP Images) less

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR PARKWOOD ENTERTAINMENT - Singer Beyonce performs the song "Grown Woman" on her "Mrs. Carter Show World Tour 2013", on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at the Palais Omni Sport Bercy in Paris. ... more

Photo: Frank Micelotta, INVL

Photo: Frank Micelotta, INVL

Image
1of/7

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 7

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR PARKWOOD ENTERTAINMENT - Singer Beyonce performs the song "Grown Woman" on her "Mrs. Carter Show World Tour 2013", on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at the Palais Omni Sport Bercy in Paris. Beyonce is wearing a custom printed romper with bustle by designer Kenzo. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Invision for Parkwood Entertainment/AP Images) less

IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR PARKWOOD ENTERTAINMENT - Singer Beyonce performs the song "Grown Woman" on her "Mrs. Carter Show World Tour 2013", on Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at the Palais Omni Sport Bercy in Paris. ... more

Photo: Frank Micelotta, INVL

Beyoncé's leaked track proves her swagger is still intact

1 / 7

Back to Gallery

Beyoncé has been telling us she's a grown woman for weeks. Now, we finally get the full story.

The Houston native's new song, "Grown Woman," leaked in full Tuesday, and reaction has been almost universally positive. She first gave us a tease of the tune - co-written by The-Dream and produced by Timbaland - in that fierce Pepsi commercial.

"Grown Woman" is an effusive, celebratory track, built on a pulsing beat, jangly groove and tribal rhythms. And, yes, Beyoncé is still talking about running things. The song has the signature swagger and confidence that marks the best of her material ("Crazy in Love," "Get Me Bodied," "Single Ladies").

"I could be bad if I want/I could do wrong if I want/I can live fast if I want/I can go slow all night long," she sings. Be careful. It'll embed itself in your head after just one listen.

At five minutes, the song will likely be tightened up with a radio edit if it's officially released as a single. A new album is expected sometime this year. As always, no word from Queen B's official camp. She has yet to reveal a title or release date.

The enthusiastic reaction to "Grown Woman" is a change from the puzzled reception that greeted buzz track "Bow Down/I Been On," released in March. That tune incorporated elements of Houston's chopped and screwed sound and played as a warning call to other female singers who have tried to take her place. A remix featured Houston rappers Bun B, Z-Ro, Scarface, Willie D, Slim Thug and Lil Keke.

More new music has been slowly emerging. Beyoncé covered Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black" for "The Great Gatsby" soundtrack and is featured on upcoming albums from Kelly Rowland and The-Dream. She also contributed new song "Rise Up" to the animated "Epic" film, in theaters Friday, and voices the character of Queen Tara.

Beyoncé has been performing "Grown Woman" on the overseas leg of her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour. The July 15 Houston show sold out in "mere minutes," according to a venue rep.